My Chevening journey

My Chevening journey began one evening in 2015 when I stumbled upon the fellowship announcement on social media and considered it my true calling. Since I had over 12 years of professional experience in media development in the social and public sector, I realised the need for availing a leadership and skills-enhancing opportunity at a world-class UK university. I eagerly submitted my Chevening application and simultaneously applied for the MSc media, communication and development programme at the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fortunately, I was awarded the Chevening fellowship and also received acceptance from the LSE media and communications department, ranked best in the UK to study media in the QS World University Rankings. The Chevening journey then officially commenced in Fall 2015.

I arrived in London on a rainy evening. Truth be told, I felt overwhelmed that evening as I checked into my student dorm and soon began the task of making the Central London ensuite room my ‘home’ for a year. My first week at LSE was both exciting and intimidating; here I was enrolled within the UK’s most thriving academic scene amid fellow international peers and celebrities of the academic world, ready to take on the one-year challenge.

As expected, LSE was a challenging, phenomenal experience. In the initial few weeks, I struggled immensely with the onslaught of reading and research — and I owe this to the lack of emphasis on research and critical investigation initiatives at local schools in Pakistan. Much later, I was able to cope up with the academic research and writing and fortunately, became one of the eight students in the entire media and communications department to graduate with a Distinction. Although this Distinction was an honor, my highest level of satisfaction with the LSE experience stemmed more from the holistic one-of-a-kind research opportunities that were awarded to me. For example, my dissertation adviser, Ms Shakuntala Banaji, inspired me every day to take on the thought-provoking task of researching elite stakeholder perceptions of USAID Pakistan’s development interventions against the background of historically tense US- Pakistan bilateral relations, an area of investigation that no one dared to set foot into before. I was elated to learn that my dissertation received a high distinction and was selected to be published as part of the best compilation of dissertations authored by media students in 2016. This made my Chevening experience even better.

Furthermore, I must add here that the UK Chevening staff regularly supported me and my fellow Pakistani Cheveners, enabling us to stay connected and form a close-knit network with Cheveners from across the world. This support network allowed students like me to share our experiences and worldviews and engage on critical issues affecting our countries, adding life to my overall academic experience. This global Chevening network does not dismantle once the fellowship ends — in fact, it lasts forever.

Personally, Chevening has dramatically changed my life. I can vouch that this experience will be life-altering for many candidates and I say this because I happened to meet my loving husband at a Chevening reception one nippy morning in London! As my husband had also been awarded the Chevening fellowship, we were able to bond and fall in love — so I wholeheartedly thank Chevening for allowing such a sweet ending to my Chevening journey!

Upon returning to Pakistan, I began working as a development communications consultant in the international development sector. I am currently leading an exciting CVE-focused initiative in Pakistan, where I work with civil society organisations to develop anti-radicalisation campaigns and alternative narratives, targeted towards the youth. Moreover, I am also leading another crucial study commissioned by the government of Pakistan on investigation of the socio-economic impact of Afghan refugees on Pakistan as a host country. To this end, the unique LSE-Chevening combination has been a godsend in inspiring me to dip my fingers into a diverse array of exciting development initiatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2017.

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